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I hope I have found a source to help me answer this dilemma. I am a maternal birthmom Grandparent. My daughter after 30 days in the hospital with 3rd birth child, giving her much maternal love and care, ( according to nurses records) was unable to particiapte any further and walked away from the hospital , after she was told baby would be apprehended. My daughter was a known addict. I am raising her 2 beautiful and older children , 14 and 7. The ministry at 6 weeks of age of the baby, contacted me to tell me of the baby's birth. They Asked if I would take a third. I said No, this baby must be given a chance for her own family and a " NORMAL " life. I told them I wanted her placed for adoption. 3 months later , after I finally located my daughter she was notified baby would go for adoption. My daughter , through her pain, did not / could not step forward , and it was left to me , to provide child's history to the best of my knowledge.(Father unknown ). At 5 months baby had no potential family. I finally was able to refer a couple I knew , through my grandson's school, as prospective parents. The Social Workers moved on it, my friends moved to a different part of the city as their 2 older children went to school with my youngest grandchild. The prospective parents, received the baby on her first birthday. At the beginning of the discussions, we established this would be their baby, and the grandparents would be the adoptive grandparents. I, in the back of my mind, thought , we may have some contact , but did not expect it to be overwhelmingly in favor of an open adoption as such. The Adoptive parents , have now told me how my 14 yr old grandaughter would be such a positive role model for their daughter. They adore my other grandkids, and want them involved as siblings to their child. My grandson and their twin boys are ecstatic that they will have a life long special relationship.
Here is the problem. My son who is 2 yrs older than his sister, lives a distance from us, and is adamant that we not be involved in this child's life, and that we let go, so she never learns about her birth mother, or that my daughter shows up years from now. My daughter by the way , does not attempt to impose herself upon her children, she realizes her life is one they should not be exposed to. She stays in touch with me, and I often look for her, so I may continually reach out, tell her there is another path, and I wil be waiting for her. My daughter knows the family is one I know, she knows I will not tell her who they are. She asked me if they were good people, and I told her baby will be well loved, will have 2 brothers, and some contact with us, and she will live an advantageous life. I told her , the adoptive parents pray for her recovery, and that one day , if she has had many years of sobriety there MAY( no promise) be an opportunity to meet them and the child. I told her , I will ensure she has a picture of the little one yearly, as provided to me by AD parents.
Now to the issue at hand. The AD parents wish to make the birth siblings and myself extended family. They will be her brother and sister , in addition to her adoptive brothers. I am to be considered Nana. My 14 yr old grandaughter and I , question and worry , this will not be healthy for the little one in establishing her new family. We do not want her to ever think her AD family is not her real family. We don't know how we will handle the questions re: her birthmom , as her life is not one we want her to know about.
This is my concern... My 14 yr old grandaughter and I , do not want this little one growing up , knowing anything about the difficulties, her birthmom experienced in her late teens and adult life. My son and all my friends ( including adult adoptees in this ) are adamant that we need to stay away , and not be involved in an open adoption, for the sake of the child. My friends also think this is a continual reminder to the older siblings also , of their mother's lifestyle that is particularily painfiul for us . My grandson has been with me since birth , and at 7 has not given much thought to my daughter's lifestyle, and embraces me as Mom. My grandaughter on the other hand, has never had a year where her mother's life has not caused her sadness. My grandaughter is confused as to what to do. She on one hand will say , this is a reminder of all the things my brother and I have never and will never have, a reminder of another little piece of me that is missing. And yet her face lights up when she sees the baby . What am I do to do here? There are 3 children involved. I have to make the right decision for ALL of them ! My son is angry with me, and will probably cut me out of his life , If I embrace the OA. If I do embrace it , I will never be able to share anything with him , about the latest baby .
My grandaughter and I , love the baby , and want to make the right decision for her, excluding our own feelings. Keep in mind there could be many babies to come. My grandson and this baby , had it not been for the illecit drugs, very possibly would have been terminated. There have been many terminations, and I am praying my daughter, will be able to find the consciouness and awareness to get her tubes tied.
So far her two youngest at risk births children have dodged major bullets , and appear to be healthy . The 7 yr old has minor learning issues but we are winning that battle. The baby is ahead of all mile stones, and healthy after a rocky start. She was in foster care, until adopted at one year old.
Please tell me what you feel !
I am sure there will be lot's of advice for you about open adoption. I'm not in one so I won't say anything except that I think you sound like an awesome grandma and mother to these kids.... ((( Hugs ))))
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Wow - there certainly are alot of factors to consider in this situation...You've come to a great place - the women and men here are a great source of support and comfort.
As an adoptive mom in an OA, I find it a great blessing - however all relationships are different, and it is up to each family to decide what is right for them.
I can say that I do know what it's like to have someone close to me who struggles with addiction...so I know the pain that you and your grandkids are going through...but I am also fairly certain that your placed grandchild will eventually find out about it in the future, so staying away will not erase the circumstances...Even if her parents don't tell her, she will eventually find out if she seeks her mom/siblings out in the future...and I'm sure she'll realize, as will all your grandchildren, that just because your daughter has an addiction doesnt mean she's a bad person or that she doesn't love her children. Addiction is such a painful thing, isnt it?
The question is do YOU want a relationship? At the very core of you, if you put aside your son, the pain, your daughter's addiction, etc, how do you feel? Would you want to have a relationship with them?
I know how hard it is for your other grandchildren... maybe seeing a counselor will help them process their feelings - help them sort out their pain and their fears...I know my son (even though he is only 6) absolutely loves his bio brother. We haven't quite reached the point where he can process what it means not to see him regularly, but we will help him through that pain when the time comes.
I think the hardest thing is the reminder for your 14 y.o. granddaughter - the constant reminder of the pain she's experienced; but I have a feeling she will feel that way even if she doesn't see the baby because like we all know, out of sight doesn't mean out of mind...Again, I really think a counselor will be beneficial in helping her sort all this out.
As for your son and all your friends...well...it is what it is. If you want a relationship with this baby, it's not really their place to tell you not to; and coming from someone who actually has experience with a successful open adoption, I can say that what we do IS for our children, and they are all the better for knowing their firstfamilies. Like I've heard repeatedly on this board (which has now become one of my favorite sayings) children are only as confused as the adults around them. If you foster a healthy open adoption, you will all benefit from it...If your son would end a relationship with you because you have a relationship with an innocent child, well, that's a shame.
Not that open adoption is painfree, mind you - it hurts my sons' firstmom and biograndma every time they have to leave him. but they say it is worth it to have the relationship that they do have.
And if you do decide to go through with an OA, remember that it can't be rushed - and the relationship has to be built upon in order for it to be a success. My kids are 4 and 6, and we are finally at a place where we can say that it is where we want it to be...even still, we work at it constantly, just like every other relationship.
Sorry for rambling...lol...I wish you and your family the best of luck. You really seem like a loving, genuine woman who cares deeply for your family. I'll be thinking of you and hope you let us know how things turn out!
Lovestohappen
The Adoptive parents , have now told me how my 14 yr old grandaughter would be such a positive role model for their daughter. They adore my other grandkids, and want them involved as siblings to their child. My grandson and their twin boys are ecstatic that they will have a life long special relationship.
This rings true.. and is special and needs to be protected.. IMO
Here is the problem. My son who is 2 yrs older than his sister, lives a distance from us, and is adamant that we not be involved in this child's life, and that we let go, so she never learns about her birth mother, or that my daughter shows up years from now.
I think he is reacting.. reacting from the situation with his sister.. an anger.. not clear thinking..
I have learned in Alanon and from my codependent books that we can not control any of it.. life happens and we try to make the best choices..
Anger with the one acting out.. helps no one or does nothing..
IMO he is wrong.. in his thinking..
Now to the issue at hand. The AD parents wish to make the birth siblings and myself extended family. They will be her brother and sister , in addition to her adoptive brothers. I am to be considered Nana. My 14 yr old grandaughter and I , question and worry , this will not be healthy for the little one in establishing her new family. We do not want her to ever think her AD family is not her real family. We don't know how we will handle the questions re: her birthmom , as her life is not one we want her to know about.
I have read many letters written by unhappy adoptees.. and the secret keeping is what isolates them..
I relinquished into secrecy and did not know about my bsons life till he was 35.
OA is the way to go in my thinking.. If hard things happen so be it.. at least your grandaughters life will not be steeped in mystery..
There are ways to deal with an acting out parent.. and there are lessons to be learned in this.. but heck.. these are good life lessons..
Why keep someone away from these lessons..
And the future is not here yet.. we do not know what is going to happen..
This is my concern... My 14 yr old grandaughter and I , do not want this little one growing up , knowing anything about the difficulties, her birthmom experienced in her late teens and adult life.
You seem an amazing woman that has had some real hard stuff handed to her.. This little girl this little baby will IMO learn from you..
Love is a verb.. not a walk away and shhhhh dont talk about it..
This is what happened to me in the closed era and it was toxic..
My son and all my friends ( including adult adoptees in this ) are adamant that we need to stay away , and not be involved in an open adoption, for the sake of the child. My friends also think this is a continual reminder to the older siblings also , of their mother's lifestyle that is particularily painfiul for us .
Alateen.. Alanon.. Have you gone to any meetings?
This is a very complicated difficult decision.. and I believe you need some knowledge in how to deal with it..
My grandaughter on the other hand, has never had a year where her mother's life has not caused her sadness. My grandaughter is confused as to what to do. She on one hand will say , this is a reminder of all the things my brother and I have never and will never have, a reminder of another little piece of me that is missing. And yet her face lights up when she sees the baby . What am I do to do here?
It is what it is what it is.. Pretending any of it away.. hurts.. others..
Pretending it away causes a person to go to drink or drugs..
ItҒs a pattern..
Standing in the truth and learning how to cope with the truth is the way out of this to me..
I grew up with an alcoholic mom and dad.. and I was into drugs for a time in my life..
I have learned so much from Alanon and codependent books..
And AA.. and NA..
Admitting we are powerless over the one acting out is important.. and wiping them from our lives gives them importance.. in their absence they are important.. like the elephant in the room scenario.
Getting better ourselves.. (first step in an Alanon book) means we can show by example.. and the rest of the family life improves..
There are 3 children involved. I have to make the right decision for ALL of them ! My son is angry with me, and will probably cut me out of his life , If I embrace the OA. If I do embrace it , I will never be able to share anything with him , about the latest baby .
You do not know if he will cut you out.. and if he does he may learn in the future that maybe you are correct..
Cut out and shunning the addict and anything about them.. does not work according to my books..
It keeps us engaged..
Working through the hard stuff and coming out the other side and learning how to cope with the bad stuff.. is what works..
My grandaughter and I , love the baby , and want to make the right decision for her, excluding our own feelings. Keep in mind there could be many babies to come. My grandson and this baby , had it not been for the illecit drugs, very possibly would have been terminated. There have been many terminations, and I am praying my daughter, will be able to find the consciouness and awareness to get her tubes tied.
Its so hard.. I am so sorry you are going through this.. how awful..
It must break your heart..
Jackie
Thankyou for your repiles so far, this is helping me think clearly , and I look forward to more input from others. You have already offered me some heartfelt things to think about, and I so appreciate your depth of thought in regards to our situation . xoxoxoxo.
I have a meeting on the 27th , with new family and SW's to discuss the plans for the OA , I hope to have more responses to aide my thinking .
Grandma aka Lovestohappen
lovestohappen
Thankyou for your repiles so far, this is helping me think clearly , and I look forward to more input from others. You have already offered me some heartfelt things to think about, and I so appreciate your depth of thought in regards to our situation . xoxoxoxo.
I have a meeting on the 27th , with new family and SW's to discuss the plans for the OA , I hope to have more responses to aide my thinking .
Grandma aka Lovestohappen
How did the meeting go and are you guys in OA? You sound like an awesome grandma and mother and I have no doubt you will make the best decision for your family and yourself. I wish all of you very happy lives. Love and hugs and kisses.
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Lovestohappen -
They all need you. They need each other.
Debating the "what if 's " (which statistically never transpire anyway) comes from a good place in your families heart. I can completely understand that.
Your son is adult and he will move past this.
I feel that your granddaughter will be more tramitized by losing a sister (after losing her mother) in the long run. The knowledge that this little one is safe and sound now and being able to bond and interact with her will be helpful to all involved.
The folks that have provided a home for her sound beautiful and appear to be very smart people to know how this will effect your family.
I say go with love and let the cards fall where they may. This little one will grow knowing she is loved by many and will never have to question her roots or the reasoning behind her adoption.
BTW - Your daughter is very lucky to have you as a mother and I hope she gets better soon.
Good luck and keep us posted !:cheer: